The best resume format in 2026 — example layouts and templates

A well‑structured resume helps showcase valuable skills and experience, and choosing the right format plays a key role in making that happen. A resume format defines how information is organised, shaping how clearly experience, skills, and achievements are presented to both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS). With hiring teams often scanning resumes in seconds, the right structure makes it easier to highlight strengths, surface relevant details, and stand out quickly.

A professional layout improves chances of passing ATS screening. Clean, well-organised formats help systems scan and interpret content accurately, increasing the likelihood your resume reaches a recruiter and moves forward in the hiring process. Choosing the right format is not just about design, it directly impacts how fast and effectively you can secure interviews.

The online resume builder in Microsoft Word makes it easy to select and apply a strong, ATS‑friendly format using pre-built templates and AI writing tools. Explore the three most effective formats, chronological, functional, and combination, and how to choose the best one based on your own experience level and role. Use practical formatting tips, ready-to-use templates, and Copilot prompts to create a polished, job-ready resume in minutes.

Three resume formats to match any career stage or goal

Understanding the main types of resume formats helps you choose the structure that best presents experience and strengths. Each format organises information differently, depending on what you want to highlight.

1. Chronological resume format

The reverse chronological format lists work experience starting with the most recent role. It is the most widely used and recognised format, making it easy for recruiters and hiring systems to scan. This resume format is best for professionals with consistent work history, applicants applying for roles in the same industry, and mid-level to experienced candidates.

Pros: clearly shows career progression and recent experience, preferred by most recruiters and ATS software, and easy to read and quickly scan.

Cons: highlights gaps in employment, and less suitable for career changes or limited experience

Tips to write chronological resumes

• List job role, company name, and employment timeframe clearly, including any career breaks.

• Include part-time roles, freelancing, or volunteering if it aligns with the job role.

• Mention core achievements in every role with metrics to demonstrate growth and impact.

• Spotlight the highest education level prominently, especially if it directly supports the position being targeted.

• Combine keywords from the job description into the executive summary to stand out to recruiters.

• Copilot tip: review the job role and ask Copilot to summarize key points that match work experience. Next, chat with Copilot to draft a chronological resume outline based on needs or an existing file.

2. Functional resume format

The functional format focuses on skills rather than work history. It groups experience by skill area instead of listing roles chronologically. This resume format is ideal for career changers or those entering a new field, candidates with limited experience or employment gaps, and applicants wanting to highlight transferable skills.

Pros: emphasises skills and capabilities over job titles, helps minimise visibility of gaps or unrelated experience, and useful when experience is not directly aligned to the role.

Cons: less familiar to recruiters, can be harder for ATS systems to interpret, and may raise questions about work history.

Tips to write functional resumes

• Start with an objective statement on top to express personal career goals, ensuring it aligns with the role instead of a broad professional summary.

• Tailor the functional resume for each job application, focusing on the most relevant skill sets for each role.

• Use skills-related keywords listed in the job advertisement to improve the resume ATS score and increase chances of an interview.

• Write about transferable skills and process-related changes to show impact across different businesses.

• Group key achievements under a skill category, rather than by job title, to create a clear narrative.

• Copilot tip: review the job role and ask Copilot to summarize key points that match work experience. Next, chat with Copilot to draft a functional resume outline based on needs or an existing file.

3. Combination resume format

The combination format blends elements of both chronological and functional formats. It highlights key skills at the top, followed by a structured work history section. If you're a professional with strong skills and relevant experience, a candidate switching roles within a related field, or an applicant with varied or specialised experience, this is the resume format for you.

Pros: balances skills and work history, allows you to highlight strengths upfront, and flexible and adaptable for different roles.

Cons: can become longer or more complex, requires careful structure to remain clear and scannable, and may still show gaps if work history is limited.

Tips to write combination resumes

• Edit the resume to fit in one page so both skills and experience are obvious immediately.

• Rewrite any resume sections to suit the skills required in the job ad if applicable.

• List key achievements instead of routine job responsibilities underneath the "Work Experience" section.

• Try to use action verbs like "implemented" and "facilitated" to express achievements and job duties to make a good impression and pass the ATS.

• Copilot tip: if a resume exceeds one page, ask Copilot to rewrite the draft for conciseness and clarity. It can review a CV and rewrite any sections required, so a short resume still suits the job requirements.

Which resume format should you use?

Choosing the right resume format depends on experience, career goals, and the type of role you’re applying for. Each format highlights strengths in a different way, so selecting the right one helps recruiters quickly see why you’re a strong fit.

Use a chronological resume if you have a steady work history

This is the most common resume format and is widely preferred by recruiters. It lists work experience in reverse order, starting with most recent role.

• Best for mid-level to experienced professionals.

• Works well if career progression is consistent.

• Helps recruiters quickly understand experience and growth.

Use a functional resume if you’re changing careers or have gaps

A functional format focuses on skills rather than work history. It highlights what you can do, rather than where you’ve worked.

• Best for career changers or those re-entering the workforce.

• Useful if you have employment gaps or limited experience.

• Helps emphasise transferable skills.

Use a combination resume to balance skills and experience

A combination format blends both skills and work history, giving equal importance to what you’ve done and what you can do.

• Best for professionals with varied experience or specialized skills.

• Works well if you’re transitioning roles but still have relevant experience.

• Helps showcase both achievements and capabilities.

Quick guide to choosing the right format: choose chronological if experience is consistent and relevant, functional if skills are stronger than your work history, or combination if you want to highlight both skills and experience.

How to format a resume in Microsoft Word

Formatting resume layout and design

Getting the layout right is just as important as choosing the right resume type. Clear formatting helps a resume pass the ATS and makes a strong first impression with recruiters. Follow these layout and design tips below.

• Margins: apply one-inch margins on all sides to ensure the resume is readable and none of the content is lost if printed out.

• Colors: stick to two dark colors, such as black and navy blue, so headings and body text look different, remain accessible to readers, and are scannable by ATS.

• Alignment: use a traditional left alignment so the text is ATS-friendly and looks organized. The header and body text should match for a consistent look.

• Bullet points: use bulleted lists over short paragraphs to ensure key skills and achievements are easy to scan by ATS and time-poor recruiters.

• Social media and work example links: use hyperlinks instead of pasting the full website URL to save space and maintain a tidy look and feel.

• Fonts and font sizes: select a font that represents personality while fitting the chosen job role and profession. While Calibri and Aptos are ATS-friendly fonts, check out the full guide to find the best font for a resume.

Formatting resume name and contact details

The header is the first thing a recruiter sees, so making it clear and professional sets the right tone from the start. Follow these below name and contact detail recommendations.

• Always include a full name at the top of the resume in a sans serif font for legibility.

• Consider using a different color from the resume body text, such as navy blue, and add bold styling so it stands out.

• Add a short job title in a smaller font beneath the name to make an immediate impression.

• Include one professional email address and a phone number with the full phone code.

• Share a portfolio, personal website, or LinkedIn profile by hyperlinking to anchor text rather than pasting long URLs.

• Place contact details beside or below the name on the left side of the resume.

Formatting work experience and skills in resumes

Presenting work experience and skills in a consistent format helps recruiters and ATS quickly identify the most relevant information. Follow the recommendations below.

• Apply left alignment consistently for clarity.

• Share the names of the company, exact job title, and dates worked in bold styling.

• List job duties and key achievements in bulleted lists instead of paragraphs.

• Use action verbs like "managed", "developed", and "delivered" to describe accomplishments.

• Include metrics where possible to quantify impact, such as "increased sales by 20%".

Formatting references on a resume

Most employers request references later in the hiring process, so make sure to use a clear and consistent format to easily share. Explore the best reference format for a resume below.

• Create a separate reference page using the same font, margins, and color scheme as the resume for a cohesive look.

• Include three to five professional references, such as former managers, colleagues, or mentors who can speak to relevant skills and work ethics.

• For each reference, list the full name, job title, company name, professional email address, and phone number.

• Add a one-sentence description of the professional relationship, such as the role held and how long the working relationship lasted.

• Always ask any references for their permission before sharing any contact details with new employers.

How to format a resume with AI

Use Copilot in Word to effortlessly format a resume by applying structure, consistency, and professionalism in just a few minutes.

1. Open Word for the web and select a resume template to begin. By starting with a template gives Copilot a clear structure to work.

2. Next, start chatting with Copilot in Word. Attach an existing resume if you have one to the chat.

3. Ask Copilot to apply a consistent layout and structure, like using headings, margins, and spacing.

4. Improve section hierarchy by asking Copilot to help clarify what stands out, like section titles and emphasize job titles and dates.

5. Resumes are easier to read when achievements are scannable, so ask Copilot to turn long paragraphs into bullet points while keeping bullet points concise and action‑focused.

6. Clean up inconsistent fonts and styling choices by applying a widely recognized, professional font, correct size, and styling.

7. Copilot can help balance resume density without overcrowding, like adjusting line spacing, cut down to one or two pages, and remove unnecessary whitespace.

8. Prompt Copilot to remove tables or complex layout and keep formatting clean and text‑based to improve ATS readability.

Learn more about how to write a resume with AI or explore AI writer for more drafting tips.

How to choose an ATS-friendly resume format

Choosing an ATS-friendly resume format helps ensure resumes are easy to scan, accurately parsed, and more likely to reach a recruiter. Applicant tracking systems are designed to read structured content, so using a clean and consistent format improves how information is interpreted.

• Use simple, structured layouts: write in a straightforward layout that presents experience in a clear, logical order. A simple structure helps ATS software identify sections, extract key details, and organize information correctly.

• Avoid overloading with graphics: graphics, images, and complex design elements can prevent ATS software from reading a resume correctly. Stick to clean formatting with minimal visual elements and use a professionally designed resume template to maintain a polished look without sacrificing ATS compatibility.

• Avoid complex columns and tables: multi-column layouts, text boxes, and detailed tables can make it harder for ATS tools to read a resume. Keep resumes in a single-column format to reduce the risk of important information being missed or misaligned.

• Use standard section headings: try clear and common headings such as 'work experience', 'education', and 'Skills'. Standard wording helps ATS systems recognize each section and categorize information accurately.

• Keep formatting clean and consistent: use simple fonts, consistent spacing, and minimal styling. Avoid excessive graphics, icons, or decorative elements that can interfere with how ATS software processes resumes.

Explore resume format examples to customize in Word

Clean elegant resume template

Create a clean, professional resume with this easy-to-edit template. Highlight experience, skills, and achievements in a clear format that helps recruiters quickly understand strengths and increase chances of getting interviews.

Clean elegant resume

Use this template

Modern basic resume template

Showcase qualifications with a modern resume template designed to keep experience organised and easy to scan. Present skills clearly, guide recruiters to key details, and make a strong impression from the first read.

Basic modern resume

Use this template

Simple sales resume template

Present experience in a structured, easy-to-follow layout that highlights strengths at a glance. Organize achievements clearly, guide hiring managers through background, and stand out with a resume that keeps the focus on what matters most.

Simple sales resume

Use this template

An ATS-friendly format makes it easier for both systems and recruiters to scan resumes quickly, understand experience, and match you to relevant roles. A clear, structured layout helps ensure an application is not only seen but also considered for the next step.

Put resume format knowledge into action using the Microsoft Word resume builder. Find more inspiration on what to write in each resume section in how to write a resume with AI, or explore how to format a cover letter.